Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen: The NFL’s New Brady vs. Manning Rivalry

The NFL has always thrived on legendary quarterback rivalries. From Joe Montana vs. John Elway to Brett Favre vs. Steve Young, every era brings a new set of elite passers who define competition at the highest level. In the early 2000s, Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning dominated the league, providing football fans with some of the most memorable, high-stakes battles in NFL history.

Fast forward to today, and a new rivalry has emerged—one that mirrors the Brady-Manning saga in more ways than one. Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills have become the new faces of quarterback competition in the AFC, battling for supremacy in epic matchups that captivate audiences, shatter ratings records, and create unforgettable moments.

With playoff history, statistical dominance, and fierce competition, Mahomes vs. Allen is the modern version of Brady vs. Manning. Here’s how their rivalry is shaping up to be the next great quarterback showdown.

Mahomes and Allen: The NFL’s Elite Quarterbacks

Both Mahomes and Allen entered the league in 2017 and 2018, respectively, and have since redefined what it means to be an NFL quarterback.

Patrick Mahomes: The Reigning Champion

When Patrick Mahomes took over as the Kansas City Chiefs’ starter in 2018, he immediately transformed the franchise. In just his first season as a starter, he won the NFL MVP award, throwing for 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns—a feat only a few quarterbacks in history have achieved.

Since then, Mahomes has:

• Led the Chiefs to three Super Bowl appearances (winning two)
• Won two Super Bowl MVPs
• Earned multiple Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections
• Become one of the NFL’s most clutch performers in the postseason

His arm strength, off-platform throws, and improvisational skills have made him the gold standard for modern quarterbacks.

Josh Allen: The Challenger on the Rise

Josh Allen, on the other hand, was a raw prospect coming out of Wyoming. Many scouts doubted his accuracy and decision-making, but the Buffalo Bills saw his untapped potential. Over the years, Allen has developed into one of the most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in the league.

Since his breakout season in 2020, Allen has:

• Led the Bills to multiple deep playoff runs
• Been named an MVP finalist
• Consistently ranked among the league’s top passers and rushers
• Developed into one of the most physically dominant quarterbacks in the game

Allen’s ability to throw deep, escape pressure, and bulldoze defenders in the run game makes him a unique and formidable opponent—one that has given Mahomes and the Chiefs plenty of trouble.

Mahomes vs. Allen: The Rivalry by the Numbers

Since 2020, Mahomes and Allen have faced off multiple times in both the regular season and the playoffs. Each meeting has been a must-watch event, often carrying huge implications for the AFC playoff picture.

Head-to-Head Record

Mahomes currently leads in both total wins and playoff victories, just as Tom Brady dominated Peyton Manning in their early meetings. However, just like Manning, Allen is showing signs of breaking through and shifting the balance of power.

Why This Rivalry Mirrors Brady vs. Manning

1. The Ratings Are Sky-High

NFL fans can’t get enough of Mahomes vs. Allen, just like they couldn’t get enough of Brady vs. Manning.

The Bills’ 30-21 victory over the Chiefs in Week 11 of the 2023 season became the most-watched regular-season game since 2007, drawing an average of 31.2 million viewers.

And guess which game held that 2007 record?
A Patriots-Colts matchup featuring none other than Brady and Manning, which pulled in 33.8 million viewers.

Clearly, this rivalry is capturing America’s attention in a way only the greatest quarterback duels can.

2. Mahomes Has the Early Edge—Just Like Brady Did

Much like Tom Brady and the Patriots controlled the early 2000s, Mahomes has been the dominant force in this rivalry so far.

Mahomes’ Chiefs have knocked Allen’s Bills out of the playoffs three times, including the 2021 AFC Championship Game and the legendary 2022 Divisional Round thriller, which many consider one of the greatest playoff games of all time.

But Allen’s time might be coming…

3. Allen’s Breakthrough Could Be Coming—Just Like Manning’s Was

Peyton Manning struggled against Brady early in his career, losing his first two playoff meetings against the Patriots. However, in 2007, Manning finally broke through, leading the Colts to a thrilling AFC Championship win over New England en route to his first Super Bowl victory.

After that moment, Manning flipped the script, winning three of his five total playoff meetings against Brady.

Could Allen be on the verge of a similar breakthrough? With each matchup, he’s getting closer to dethroning Mahomes on the biggest stage.

What’s Next for Mahomes vs. Allen?

As long as both quarterbacks stay healthy, fans can expect this rivalry to last for another decade.

Here’s what could define the next chapter of Mahomes vs. Allen:

1. More AFC Championship Battles: With both teams consistently among the best in the conference, they’re bound to meet again in the playoffs.
2. A Super Bowl Showdown? While they’ve never faced off in the big game, a Mahomes vs. Allen Super Bowl matchup would be legendary.
3. Who Will Win More Rings? Right now, Mahomes has two Super Bowls, while Allen has none. If Allen wants to even the score, he’ll need to break through soon.

Conclusion: A Rivalry for the Ages

Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen is the defining quarterback rivalry of this generation. With high-scoring games, playoff drama, and jaw-dropping performances, they are delivering the same kind of magic that Brady and Manning once did.

The only question is: Will Allen finally get his breakthrough moment, or will Mahomes continue his dominance?

One thing’s for sure—NFL fans are in for an incredible ride.